MARCH 17 • 2022 | 29
place that can unite them, and
everyone can grow in their spirit
and connection with community
and God,” Shemtov said. “Every
Jew has it within them, and all
you need is to create a space and
shine a light and everyone comes
together. In a time like this when
so much is happening around
the world and everyone is con-
cerned, this is what we need. We
need unity of mind and unity of
spirit. When we can care and be
there for each other, we can also
be there for people around the
world, too.”
Also in attendance were Padma
Kuppa, state representative for
Michigan’s 41st House District,
and Maqbool Tahir, president
of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community Michigan Chapter,
representing the new JCC’s con-
nection to the general community.
“We are just a couple miles
from here, so this is our neighbor,”
Tahir said. “We have been very
good friends with the Jewish com-
munity, and we welcome them
here and also want to invite them
as well. They can visit our com-
munity center any time they like.”
Even while being pulled
in many different directions,
Caytak knows the significance
the night held.
“I think this is the beginning
of a major step for the Jewish
community,” he said. “This is
going to be the one-stop base
for everything Jewish. The fact
probably 130-140 Jews packed in
here to celebrate a Jewish begin-
ning means it’s a vibrant and
growing community. It’s literally
one person at a time, looking
at every person — not for what
they do, not where they come
from — but who they are. If
they’re Jewish and have a Jewish
soul, that’s enough.”
Caytak also announced they’re
going to be holding services
at the center and are starting a
Sunday school this fall.
“This is the beginning of
something big,” Caytak said.
“Stay tuned.”
TOP: Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov and
Rabbi Menachem Caytak.
ABOVE: Michigan Supreme Court
Richard Bernstein was the guest
speaker at the grand opening.
A view from the street